The 30 people who received the King Charles III Coronation Medal during a ceremony held at St. Andrew’s Church on March 23 gathered for a group photo. Thompson Goddard Photo

ST ANDREWS WEST – The historic church in St. Andrews West was filled to capacity as 30 people from Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Akwesasne and Cornwall received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition to their service to the community in a ceremony on March 23.

MC for the event was Adrian Bugelli, Executive Assistant to SDSG MP Eric Duncan and a municipal councillor in the Township of North Stormont, and was assisted by l‘AFACO-SDG Operations Director Sonia Behill.

A lone piper led the procession of recipients to their reserved seats at the front of the church and following the singing of O’Canada, SDSG MP Eric Duncan addressed everyone.

“We are gathered here today because at a time in our history, it can be easy to only focus on the negative and on the stresses in our lives. Instead of the hope and potential we have.” said Duncan after thanking those who arranged the ceremony.

Duncan continued how “Sometimes we need to stop and reflect on just how fortunate we are for the many people in our lives and in our community who step up everyday to build a better, a safer, and a supportive Canada.”, mentioning 30,000 medals were made to be presented to less than one percent of the population.

SDSG MPP Nolan Quinn, who nominated people for and presented five medals at the event, commented during his remarks how the King Charles III Coronation Medal served as a reminder of our work together and the accomplishments associated to this dedicated work.

Bugelli and Behill read off the names and their community contributions as each recipient came forward to receive their Coronation Medal from either MP Duncan or MPP Quinn.

“I feel honoured” commented North Dundas resident Shawn Doolan prior to the ceremony, with South Dundas resident Bill Shearing echoing these sentiments mentioning he too felt very honoured.

As the ceremony concluded the Royal Anthem of Canada, God Save the King, was sung followed by a group photo and reception in the historic church hall adjacent to St. Andrew’s Church.

The Coronation Medal is a Canadian honour which was launched earlier this year by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. 3,000 medals were made with the plan to be presented to Canadians in recognition of their significant contributions to their country, their province and their community.

The medal is silver in colour, 32 mm in diameter and circular, with an effigy of His Majesty King Charles III King of Canada on the obverse and on the reverse 13 frosted triangle shapes, recognizing the 13 provinces of this country and pennants arranged in a circle, with the Canadian Royal Cypher in the middle of the circle, the date of the Coronation on the left side and on the right “VIVAT REX” (Long Live The King).

MPP Duncan perhaps summed up the experience during his address as the ceremony began by noting “I want each recipient to know how valued you are. How the work and the passion and the energy that you bring to what you do has made a difference. From the network of support joining you today, to the many more who are celebrating you at home or in spirit, you should be proud of who you are, of what you do and how you do it.”

The people receiving King Charles III Coronation Medals from Stormont Dundas and South Glengarry MP Eric Duncan were as follows: Kevin Bell, Anne Donkers, Shawn Doolan, Stephen Douris, Michael Eamer, Terry Foley, Maryann Foley, Lois Gaudet, Bill Halman, Fern King Melodie LeMoeligou, Marlene Lewis, Allan MacDonald, Leighton McDonell, Reid McIntyre, Victoria Middleton, Melissa Morgan-Dobson, Rachel Navaneelan, Isobelle Paquette, Andre Pommier, Marléne Rémy Télusma, John Ross, Taylor Seguin, Bill Shearing and Shellie Spencer. Jody Archambault, Peggy Haramis, Rod McLeod, Jehan Shorish and Bill Smirle received their King Charles III Coronation Medal from SDSG MPP Nolan Quinn.